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Through mass timber construction, Leader Lane Developments and Windmill Developments are charting the course for sustainable urban development with Halsa, at 230 Royal York Road. This 9-storey mixed-use mid-rise, constructed using Intelligent City’s pre-fabricated mass timber system is coming to the northwest corner of Royal York and Drummond Street in Mimico. Sponsored by the One Planet Living Fund, the development is ambitiously targeting LEED Platinum certification and adhering to Tier 2 of the Toronto Green Standards, also aiming to fulfill the principles of the One Planet Living Framework. The One Planet Living Fund focuses on investing in highly sustainable, ESG-oriented projects, reinforcing the eco-friendly commitments of both companies.
Designed by LWPAC Architects, Halsa at 230 Royal York Road will introduce 58 market-rate rental units and 7 replacement rental dwelling rooms to this area of the city, where many seek affordable, long-term rental options amidst a surge of nearby condominium developments. Derived from the Swedish words for 'Health' and 'Welcome,' Halsa represents Leader Lane and Windmill’s brand of sustainable mid-rise infill buildings that promote an active lifestyle and well-being. The site has been selected for its close proximity to transit and bike lanes and features a 1:1 bike parking ratio to encourage active transportation.
These developments are distinguished by their integration of nature and the visible use of mass timber. To celebrate the use of mass timber construction, each unit features a significant amount of exposed Cross Laminated Timber on the ceiling and exterior walls. An alternative solution is being sought to allow this expression of wood, which has been shown to have positive benefits on air quality and overall health.
The mass timber structure and floor assemblies pivotal to this project are supplied by Intelligent City out of Delta, BC, marking a significant step in material innovation and sustainable construction practices. Intelligent City offers a technology-driven, high-quality building solution that is constructed using robotics in their factory before being delivered to site. This results in fewer changes on site and faster, less disruptive on-site construction.
UrbanToronto recently spoke with Councillor Amber Morley of Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, who also serves as Toronto's Deputy Mayor for Etobicoke, to learn more about the project's impact on the neighbourhood. "As we continue to tackle our housing crisis as a city, we are not only looking at the right kind of building mix, that people can actually access and afford, but also making sure that the sustainability piece is front and centre as well."
As a purpose-built rental project, the project addresses a significant gap left by the predominance of condominium developments, which often require large down payments and long-term financial commitments that many cannot afford. This offers a viable housing alternative that supports housing stability and accessibility. Councillor Morley expressed enthusiasm about the project in her Ward, noting, “This has been a missing part of the puzzle, and we're excited about the level of sustainability that Leader Lane and Windmill can achieve with the construction."
Councillor Morley, involved in the City's Infrastructure and Environment Committee, is a staunch advocate for ensuring that new developments aspire to exceed the rigorous benchmarks set by the Toronto Green Standards. She insists on high environmental standards for all new projects, articulating that it is “important that we see all new developments meet at the very minimum Tier One of the Toronto Green Standard."
Recognizing the importance of resident input, mandatory community consultation meetings have been conducted to gather feedback and address any concerns from locals. Councillor Morley emphasized the significance of these interactions as “an important part of the development process is significant community consultation."
Councillor Amber Morley highlighted that Mimico GO station is within walking distance. “It is the site of quite significant growth. These mid-rises are an important part of the mix, with a more gentle infill that is suited to the more small-scale established neighbourhoods surrounding the Mimico Triangle.” The development is part of Leader Lane’s Mimico Collection which also includes 430 Royal York and 722 The Queensway further north. The full trio of mid-rises will all be built with pre-fabricated mass timber.
As the city continues to grow, there is an urgency to address the pressing need for more inclusive and accessible housing solutions. Councillor Morley has been vocal about the need for sustained commitment from both governmental bodies and developers to address these challenges head-on. "We need as leaders in our city to keep up our focus and our sense of urgency as it relates to getting housing built,” she shared, “and specifically supporting projects that are going to support residents in our city who are more most marginalized." The inclusion of commercial retail spaces at street level will further invigorate the area.
The project has recently made strides in its application process, receiving the green light for necessary variances from the Committee of Adjustment. The team anticipates breaking ground later this year.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | Aercoustics Engineering Ltd, Bousfields, Crozier & Associates Consulting Engineers, Leader Lane Developments, RWDI Climate and Performance Engineering |
